A Trade Union Approach to OSH action: Union Intervention Methodology 20/09/2018 Aitana Garí Pérez

Workers participation in occupational health and safety Two ways for worker involvement: Safety representatives OSH Committees 20/09/2018

Safety Representatives Which subjects are we addressing today? Safety Representatives role Union intervention methodology in OSH 20/09/2018

Safety Representatives tools Head: think of solutions Ear: listen to the worker Eye: watch to work contions Mouth: argue the proposals Stomach: persist in strategies Hands: get support Feet: walk throuth the work posts 20/09/2018

Safety Representatives role Something else than to report to the Labour Inspectorate The Super Safety Rep: identify risks evaluate the importance of the problems contrast workers opinions with the other parties inform the workers suggest solutions involve their co-workers negotiate with the company make a follow up 20/09/2018

Safety Representatives role The Safety Rep is not responsible for the workers health and security… the company is responsible for the workers health and security. 20/09/2018

Safety Representatives role Safety Rep as a prevention motivator Their most important function is to get the prevention agents´ involved in risk prevention, ensuring that: management fulfils their prevention duty, workers participate in the prevention activities technicians advisers share the risk assessment and look for solutions for the problems with the workers 20/09/2018

Planning an OSH union intervention About the James´ case Can you tell which measures or action he has taken? What advantages do you think has to thinking and planning in advance? 20/09/2018

Planning an OSH union intervention The method is a way to get somewhere 20/09/2018

Planning an OSH union intervention Alice: Which way should I take? Rabbit: It depends where you want to go. Alice: I am going nowhere Rabbit: In that case it does not matter which way you choose. Alice in Wonderland 20/09/2018

Planning an OSH union intervention The moral: Without a clear objective the methodological options are a waste of time. The objective (where we want to go) determines the method (which way we take) and the techniques (which tools are available?) The same journey can be traveled with different vehicles depending on the final destination, the available options, the resources, the weather, etc. 20/09/2018

Union intervention methodology in occupational health The three necessary things: To know the reality well: the facts, the OSH problems… To involve the interested parties Offer solutions 20/09/2018

Union intervention methodology in occupational health Operative and natural sequence: Define the problem Speak with the affected Gather information Inspect the workplace Involve the workers Propose solutions Negotiate Do a follow up 20/09/2018

Union intervention methodology in occupational health Define the problem To approach an occupational health problem in a systematic way first we have to define the problem: what it is and what are the surrounding circumstances. 20/09/2018

Union intervention methodology in occupational health Speak with the affected The workers themselves know the problem and have the right to speak in the first person about what happens to them and to be assured that their points of view are taken into account. 20/09/2018

Union intervention methodology in occupational health Gather information We have to obtain the necessary information to have an idea of the problem dimensions. Also we have to gather the technical or legal information to request advice outside of the company. 20/09/2018

Union intervention methodology in occupational health Inspect the workplace A visit to the work place allows us to check in the workplace the specific conditions in which the risks are generated. 20/09/2018

Union intervention methodology in occupational health Involve the workers We have to involve the workers at every moment or stage, informing them of all the findings and getting them interested in the problem and ensuring they approve of the solutions proposed. altogether can go far 20/09/2018

Union intervention methodology in occupational health Propose solutions With all the obtained information we are able to propose measures to resolve the problem. different alternatives… 20/09/2018

Union intervention methodology in occupational health Negotiate Prevention always ends up being a negotiating subject and will be result from the commitment reached. And that’s why it is essential to prepare properly with good arguments and as much supporting documentation as possible. 20/09/2018

Union intervention methodology in occupational health Do a follow up It is important to raise the problems, propose improvements and to reach an agreement on the measures, and ensure they are put into practice and give positive results. Deadlines have to be observed, then check the implementation of the measures and control their efficiency. 20/09/2018

Union intervention methodology in occupational health … and what do we need as union members to apply this intervention methodolody? 20/09/2018